Michael St. John

In this close look at the narrative contained within the Bayeux Tapestry, an extraordinary secret tale of the final years of Anglo-Saxon England is revealed; a tale of a rival to Duke William's claim to the English throne, warrior bishops, court dwarfs and ruthless knights.

Always attracted to mountains, the author spent over thirty years travelling in various mountain ranges. From his diaries he documents the dangers, hardships and rewards of mountain travel.

Witty, candid and honest, the author's observations and anecdotes are a delightful and entertaining read.

Written by the great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin, this is the story of a personal tragedy that lay behind Darwin's 'survival of the fittest' theory and his revolutionary understanding of man's place in nature. The story of his daughter Annie who died when she was ten years old, and how this influenced Darwin.

In one of the funniest autobiographies ever written, the author recalls the earlier years of his life.

Byron Rogers is a journalist who has travelled around Britain searching for the more eccentric happenings in the country. This collection brings together his quirkiest articles; from the octogenarian tri-athlete to the 'Ghost train' of Stalybridge.

Oliver Popplewell was one of England's most distinguished lawyers who rose to the highest ranks of the judiciary. His interests go far beyond the legal system and he writes about his life in a witty, intelligent way.

Leo Marks was the head of the code department of SOE during the Second World War, and this memoir gives a unique picture of the organization at work.

In 1914 boys as young as thirteen were caught up in the tide of patriotism sweeping the country, and enlisted for active service. Many were to serve in some of the bloodiest battles. Here their stories are told using diaries, letters and personal testaments from some of the last survivors.

Born to a leading Italian family, Catherine de Medici became one of the most important figures in European history. Married to Henri II of France, she also saw three of her sons wear the Crown of France. Unloved by her husband, and ever jealous of his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, this is a story of politics, passion, hatred and vengeance.

In this authoritative study of the painter, widely regarded as the father of modern art, Richard Verdi traces the evolution of Cezanne's landscape, still-life and figure compositions, from the turbulently romantic creations of his youth to the visionary masterpieces of his final years.

Although an arranged marriage between two branches of the Rothschild banking family, this became a love match to rival that of Victoria and Albert. Charlotte became one of the great hostesses of Victorian England and Lionel became England's leading financier and the first Jew to win a seat in Parliament.

Thomas Cochrane was second only to Nelson as a hero of the Royal Navy, and his real life exploits in the Napoleonic Wars read like some of the very best adventure stories.

In 1821 mathematician Charles Babbage was so frustrated with checking manual mathematical tables that he embarked on a quest to design and build a mechanical calculating engine. His vision is all around us in today's sophisticated computers.

Fascinating account of allied men and women's bravery in World War 2 battle.

In 1930 the author & traveller spent a dangerous month hunting alone in the hostile Danakil desert of Abyssinia.

The eighth volume of diaries from James Lees-Milne, written with his usual candour and wit, and highly readable.

Sequel to: 'First Childhood' (5592). Lord Berners continues his memoirs with a witty account of his time at Eton, and his growing awareness of Wagner, ballet and musical composition.

Edward Enfield is an entertaining guide recounting his cycle trip across France from the Channel to the Mediterranean.

On September 2nd 1666 London was destroyed by the Great Fire. This is a vividly written, historical detective story using modern forensics and investigative techniques to explain the events of 1666.

The author was born into a world of affluence and has first hand experience of the Rothschild family and bank of the interwar years, thus providing a unique history.

After more than 32 years in the diplomatic service experiencing post-war Washington, Tito's Yugoslavia, Burma, Cyprus, France, Thailand, Tunisia and the beginnings of the United Nations. Here he probes the moral issues behind diplomatic concepts such as the nation-state, mulitilateralism and preventive diplomacy.

John Gaze worked for the National Trust for over thirty years. With his knowledge, experience and anecdotal evidence he has produced an authoritative history of the Trust.

The early years of the English eccentric Lord Berners, composer, novelist and painter.

In May 1954 Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. This is his own modest but passionate account of that achievement and includes a chapter marking its 50th Anniversary.

At the age of 17 Geoffrey Wellum becomes the youngest WWII Spitfire pilot in 92 Squadron. Geoffrey finds himself in the thick of the action but many of his friends never make it back. A gripping memoir of his life as a pilot.

A portrait of Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1944 to 1961. Post-war changes in society were also reflected in the Church of England and Fisher was flexible towards change.

Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Fisher, was one of history's great reformers but became one of the best loved, yet most loathed public figures.

The story of an SOE operative. The author relates his personal experiences during the invasion of Czechoslovakia and the Polish Campaign of 1939.

A selection of vibrant tales, rich with characters and humour, set in West Africa. The author followed his dreams and relates his adventures in his own earthy style.

To most English people George III is the king who went mad. In this book the author reassesses this remarkable man to explain why he was so widely loved by his subjects.

Joe Haines was the first prime ministerial press secretary to have a public face, when he joined Harold Wilson at Downing St. in 1969. With the benefit of hindsight and historical perspective, Haines writings of his time in No.10 are sensational.

The author, failed soldier turned journalist, reported on most major conflicts from Northern Ireland in 1969, through Biafra, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Middle East to the Falkland's War of 1982. Here the self-confessed coward describes his experiences.

In 1995 the author bought a second-hand book which started his obsessive quest to discover the 2,600 mile long Great Hedge of India, built by the British Raj as a customs barrier and later forgotten.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is one of the most commemorated events in English history. Yet this astonishing episode remains shrouded in mystery and the subject of passionate argument. The author untangles the intricate relationship between religion and politics in the early 17th century.

This is a whirlwind tour through 13,000 years of history on all the continents - a short history of everything about everybody. It provides an explanation for the differing developments of human societies on different continents and demolishes the grounds for racist theories of history.